In Điện Biên, the 9+ training model is proving increasingly effective. Under this model, after finishing secondary schools, students can study both general subjects and vocational training within three years. Upon completion, they receive a vocational secondary diploma and a certificate of completion for upper secondary education. If they wish, they may continue to study and transfer directly to college-level programs.

This model is considered well-suited for many highland students, where socio-economic conditions remain difficult and educational opportunities uneven. It enables early career orientation, shortens training time, reduces costs, and increases the likelihood of employment immediately after graduation. Importantly, vocational students under this model are exempt from tuition fees. Ethnic minority students from poor or near-poor households receive VND 2.34 million per month in support, while others receive VND 140,000 per month. Free dormitory housing is also provided for students from remote areas, ensuring safety and stability for their studies and personal development.

At Điện Biên college, each enrollment season records a growing number of secondary school graduates registering for vocational training. To achieve this result, the school has renewed its communication approach to change perceptions among parents and students; actively coordinated with secondary schools and local authorities to organize career orientation sessions before students complete grade 9. It has also strengthened links with businesses and production facilities to create internship and job opportunities immediately after graduation. Vocational fields with high recruitment demand, such as electrical work, mechanics, automotive technology, beauty care, and hospitality, are attracting considerable attention from secondary school students.

Nguyễn Trọng Thủy, Deputy Head of Training and Scientific Research at Điện Biên college, noted: “We don’t just present information about vocational fields; we also take students to visit practice workshops and meet current students so they can better visualize the learning and working process. When the options are concrete and practical, students become more confident in their decisions and can more easily convince their parents.”

In August 2025, just before the merger, Điện Biên Vocational College enrolled more than 300 THCS graduates in the 9+ model. Most of them proactively chose vocational training instead of continuing to prepare for the grade 10 entrance exam, reflecting a shift in both student and parent perceptions, towards greater initiative and positivity in choosing vocational pathways.

Student streaming after secondary school graduation is a key policy of the Party and State in developing a skilled workforce for the new context. On June 19, 2018, the Provincial People’s Committee issued Plan No. 1607/KH-UBND to implement the Project “Career Guidance and Student Streaming in General Education” in Điện Biên province for the 2018-2025 period. Based on this, the Department of Education and Training has directed schools to rigorously implement the national career guidance curriculum, diversify career counseling methods, and provide information to students and parents. Secondary schools have also adopted multiple measures to effectively implement student streaming.

Phạm Văn Lợi, Principal of Sính Phình Minority Day boarding Primary and Secondary School, explained: “On average, our school assesses student performance once a month. Based on these results, we identify learning capacity and work with families to advise and guide students early on career choices. In parent-teacher meetings, career guidance sessions, and flag-raising ceremonies, we also communicate about career pathways. With this approach, parents generally agree and choose the right direction for their children.”

Student streaming after a secondary school is recognized as a long-term strategy in developing a skilled workforce that meets labor market demands in the new era.

Trần Bá Uẩn, Principal of Điện Biên College, emphasized: “In today’s labor market, where employers increasingly prioritize skilled workers, pursuing vocational training after grade 9 is a suitable choice and a strategic pathway for students to build careers early. It is the right direction for those with clear goals, the ability to leverage their strengths, and a readiness to engage with real-world work. For student streaming to be effective, education institutions must continue shifting their philosophy from ‘teaching to test’ to ‘teaching to work,’ focusing more on practical skills and vocational competence, especially for students in remote, ethnic minority areas.”